The Chatter – December 2016

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah to all!  While each holiday has its own origin and beliefs and while we all celebrate this holiday season differently there is one thing they all have in common.

Each of these holidays is freely celebrated without prejudice in this great Country that we call home.  Each is a time to give thanks and blessings while enjoying our family and neighbors alike.  As Cypress Forest is such a diverse community, represented by many cultures, it would not be surprising to learn that each of these special beliefs, and many more, are represented and observed by at least one household within our community.  It is a special time of year for all and that is what truly matters!  The Board wishes you all a very happy holiday season and a prosperous year for you and your family in 2017.

Many of our communities are doing a holiday light competition this month.   In Cypress Forest, awards will be given out to the two best decorated homes in the community for December.  There will be top prize and a runner up awarded.  The judging will take place on December 17th from 7-9pm, so be sure to have your lights on.  This is a good time of the year to show your spirit and we encourage everyone to go all out with their decorations.  Not only do you get some gift cards to expand your light collection for next year, but you also get to keep your bragging rights for the entire year!  I have conscripted two trusty elves, which happen to be my 5-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter, to help me judge this year.  It should be noted that we can always use volunteers for judging this contest and for the yard of the month judging during spring and summer months.   Please reach out to me if you are interested in taking over this role or have questions regarding either of these volunteer opportunities. 

We remain one of the lowest rates in the Spring/Klein area and are proud that we have been successful in maintaining this rate for so long.  As a Board, we feel that this low rate slightly increases the desirability of our community and keeps home values high. 

I know many of you in Cypress Forest will be happy to know that even though the annual costs of maintaining our neighborhood has increased, the Board is able to maintain a fiscal budget that does not require an increase in the annual maintenance fee.  We remain one of the lowest rates in the Spring/Klein area and are proud that we have been successful in maintaining this rate for so long.  As a Board, we feel that this low rate slightly increases the desirability of our community and keeps home values high.  It takes many hours of hard work from the volunteers and the Board each year to keep these rates low.  As our maintenance fees are disbursed for services that directly affect each neighbor in our community, any volunteer time or service helps keep this rate low.  Feel free to contact any of your Board members about volunteer projects in our area.  You’ll be surprised that some only take a few hours a year.  All residents of Cypress Forest should have received your annual dues statement in the mail already.  If you have not received it, check with your mortgage company and make sure they did not receive it because of your escrow.  Feel free to reach out to me or our management co. if you are not getting the solutions you need as we can always send you the pertinent info so that you can remit.  The annual maintenance fee is a low $225 for Cypress Forest (proper).  In order to avoid penalty and interest charges, we ask that you please remit the funds before January 2, 2017.  If you have any questions about your statement, or have not received a statement, feel free to contact Principal Management Group and they can assist you. 

The Cypress Forest Associations’ annual meeting is planned to happen at the Water Board Building on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 7:00 PM.  These meetings usually last an hour and are very informal, informative sessions.  We cannot hold a meeting without fifteen percent of the homeowners present by person or proxy.  We ask that you will not make the meeting, you please complete the proxy that will be mailed out to all residents.  In prior years, the Board meetings have been cancelled and much time wasted since the Association lacked the proper representation from all members.  Please do your part to keep the Association running smoothly and efficiently by taking part in these meetings or submitting this proxy.

The revised website for Cypress Forest is finally finished and functional.  Check it out when you get time.  It can be found at cypressforest.net.  Most of the documents and community information can be found on this web page but if you find something missing, feel free to contact a board member to let us know.  We’re always looking for feedback for improvements. 

The Board is currently working on its’ New Year resolutions and is excited about 2017!  Once again, we wish you and your family a very Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year. . .

Scott Hubert

Neighbor and President